Would like to congratulate Jennibear on her promotion, whilst simultaneously saying what? What do either of the mechanics ops know about mechanics other than being able to justify arbitrary choices with personal opinion rather than mechanical reasoning? Although to be fair, in spite of my reservations Jenni hasn't had a chance yet but then neither has my pet dog. Without going into more detail about my grievances, I have to say that I am just flat out perplexed by recent staffing choices.

Before anyone else mentions it, because I know we have a lot of cynics. No this isn't about me being anything special, it's about having faith in people doing the job effectively. Which I don't.

I don't expect any kind of satisfactory response in reply to this, if nothing else it's just to air my dissatisfaction.

I've successfully run a wow-guild for 6 years topping out over 500 members, I'm rather patient despite a fiery personality that people think is angry a lot. I'm creative ( unlike other people who I won't name but might face stab) and willing to mediate problems by telling both parties to go sit in a corner until they chill out. I'm also more than willing to be your ' no you can't do that' op for harsh situations, I don't let myself be swayed by pleading..

I dunno what else to say, I've had power and not gone crazy, I know my limits, I'll do OK with character approvals and am more active at night when there haven't traditionally been a lot of ops around. I also like to think I'm reasonable with my requests and don't have any tendency toward game breaking behavior or irrational arguments. I'm female and thus far more logical and passive aggressive ( rather than outright aggressive) than male ops.

Well as for being an OP in general, thats as good a case as I think anyone could make for themselves without citing past experience or 'education'. We do need the staff. Now, I dont know how you would screen anyone-I dont know what sort of "test" you would put forward, the only thing I could think to ask is past DM experience here or somewhere else. One of the key things mech ops are supposed to do examine is how adding a class or ability affects the "balance" of the game, and not allowing unbalancing elements or removing ones that are broken. So what is really fair?

Well….that is somewhat subjective-not completely but somewhat. There are things that we do at this "table" that I wouldnt do at my own, and I'm sure many people have done at theirs that we would never approve. Its not as though what is "unbalanced" is always obvious, or easily agreed upon. TO a degree, we all know SOME mechanics and have some "sense". Normally, all the jobs that we have through division of labor would go to ONE person-the Dungeon Master. We've simply split things up.

SO, my final thought is, if all this (all OP and ST responsibiliites) could go all to one person, and-it usually does, and your campaign not suck or at least be "ok" then maybe things will be ok if everyone is at least ok at their job, or at least as good as you could expect a decent DM to be. Of course, firstly this division takes the work load off of ONE person.

Now the next thing we need to ask, is, are the people in these positions actually not just ok or good enough, but the BEST people for that position by specialization? Best people here? Best people anywhere? Well frankly I dont know.

NOW, in closing some people have expressed that they believe neither Zenith nor Jenni to be capable people. Well-if anyone has personal reccomendations, or has any reason they believe that they themselves are willing and more qualified, I would encourage them to let the Lead GM know. Now if it should turn out that there are neither persons willing to do the job and/or persons that can show in some fashion that they are more knowledgable or more qualified well…they are what we have.

"Ya can hoot, ya can holla-make any noise ya like! But if ya cant chant, oh if ya cant chant, well…ya no cult o' mine!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7movKfyTBII
~Ishkokum Mes Mosof She'res~
"Congratulations, you can link to TV Tropes. This does not mean you have special insight into the storytelling process, much less the author's mind. Stories don't need to fit into neat boxes, you know.

Interestingly enough, I am not convinced of a persons calibre simply because they have played WoW. Whilst you make a fair arguement for a general op, this isn't just a channel op, it's a mechanics op position.

If your arguement is that all of the staff merely have to be mediocre, you'll have to forgive me if I expect more. It also seems to focus on Jenni's appointment, that she was the best available? I don't know, is she? I've never seen her offer much of an opinion on any mechanics. The notion of balance by arbitrary decisions and knee jerk reactions justified by random opinion is something Kara does well enough on his own, so really any problems I had are likely just to be compounded by this choice.

I'll suggest Hikage or Rhine for the position, as although I disagree with some of their opinions, i'd rather have someone that can fulfill the criteria of the position than someone who is merely compliant and able to play WoW. I trust either of them to make decisions based on mechanical reasons, which is the point of the position after all.

The preoccupation with seeking 'balance' in DnD is flawed, the best you can do is seek to mitigate the massive differences between classes so everyone can have fun. Do I feel Kara has proved himself able to do that by example, or by the decisions he has made? No, the most poignant example of this was a recent debate over retraining feats which I feel bad about but only served to highlight his inadequacy. Do I feel Jenni at least deserves a chance? Yes, though im not sure if she was taken on for the right reasons.

Whilst this is an inherantly personal topic to some people, this isn't intended to be personally insulting though I appreciate it may not be comfortable to hear.

I personally have no issue with Jenni being an op. Though she has expressed a preference for story over mechanics, she at least is willing to admit that she has some failings where extensive encyclopedic knowledge is concerned. That however is really quite solvable by the fact she is willing to hear out an entire opinion rather than just saying no up front to a new idea. Also, her lack of commenting on mechanics may have less to do with knowledge and more with the fact that she is in general less outspoken than others when it comes to topics of debate. This alone is a trait I find admirable in an OP to be perfectly honest. Is she capable of mechs op? My answer is yes, any one is cable. Is she the right person for the job? My answer is that there is no way any one can know this without first seeing how she does as a mechs op. Considering her probationary status I assume GKJ would agree with this opinion. Should the task of mechanics be left to the whims of just one person? This is a huge resounding no. It is too much power, responsibility, and work for just a single person. Should Hikage and I be allowed/requested to resume our previous posts as mechanics ops? Well that is really subject to public and GKJ's opinion. However I will say that Hikage and I are both willing to resume said posts if asked. I am aware of the stigma towards Hikage and I on the matter of being mechanics op, and would suggest that with the addition of Jenni, that a 3 person mechanics team could work and all requests could go through Jenni (who can keep it anonymous to whom is requesting it) for the 3 of us to debate upon, and be left for her to have the position of giving the decision. In essence, this means that since Jenni is far more tactful than Hikage and I care to be, she would be the one dealing with the actual general public thus eliminating the need for any one to actually speak to myself or Hikage in relation to their requests. But I've digressed into responding to pale's suggestion to myself and hikage as mechs op and offering my personal thoughts on the matter. As far as the position goes, congratulations Jenni, I hope it doesn't overwhelm you too much to the point that you quit it, I know it wasn't your first pick but there you have it. I think we should all abide by GKJ's decision to place her as mechs, and see where it goes. Now as for comparing people's capabilities towards that of the capabilities of an animal, congratulations on maintaining your asshole status pale. I understand your feelings on the matter, but really there is no reason to attack some one of whom the capabilities of are largely unknown by all.

"One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths…With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side." — Hagakure

…Now as for comparing people's capabilities towards that of the capabilities of an animal, congratulations on maintaining your asshole status pale.

You haven't done such a terrible job yourself actually, albeit you're more subtle most of the time-recent events in the OOC being an exception.

Still, as I said once before in our last private conversation-I will admit, your point still stands. Yes, that aside I once again basically agree with what you said, albeit on that one particular point…it sounds like stones from a glass house. I really dont think it was the best way for Pale to put it, but I'll write it off on Pale's English cynicism just once, considering you've said worse.

"Ya can hoot, ya can holla-make any noise ya like! But if ya cant chant, oh if ya cant chant, well…ya no cult o' mine!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7movKfyTBII
~Ishkokum Mes Mosof She'res~
"Congratulations, you can link to TV Tropes. This does not mean you have special insight into the storytelling process, much less the author's mind. Stories don't need to fit into neat boxes, you know.

Yes, but where as to pale cares whether people think of him as an asshole and generally tries to fix the error of his ways.

I myself purposefully try to maintain the status of an asshole. There are many implications that are brought to light as I say this, and people are welcome to their opinions. As it stands however, I do not nor will I ever care what any individual person's view of me is. For I am brutally honest for a very particular reason, of which there is no point in stating as it is neither relevant to this particular situation let alone any other situation that could possibly come up.

That all said, thank you for the compliment in regards to my asshole status.

"One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths…With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side." — Hagakure

If your sarcastic response to my joining the ops is any indication, Pale, this is indeed going to suck for everyone. And yes I find it personally insulting that you chose to air your grievances in a public forum and belittle me without even really speaking to me. There is really no other way to see this other than a personal attack, you know nothing about me other than that I keep my nose out of debates i don't know the details of. Would you rather I was more instantly autorative? unlike you I have a problem with being wrong and prefer to sit back, study the situation and THEN decide.

Now, I listed WoW only as it pertains to leadership, I have run a successful raid guild through three content patches, until other people stepped up with more interest than I had. Raiding, if you do not know, is rather like herding cats only with angst-ridden teen aged males instead. I've also played and dmed dnd off and on for 15 years or so and while not entirely up to speed on everything all at once ( as mentioned I've played wow rather than dnd for several years) I do possess the ability to read, study and make rational decisions.

It comes to one thing, I was selected to fill a position that other people were not going to get due to personality, lack of skill or a predisposition for game breaking behavior, I didn't exactly WANT the position but it is mine and I intend to make the best of it.. I already have a list of things that have come up again and again that need to be looked at that I intend to discuss with Gid when he signs on ( or pm him if he still is having net issues. )

But seriously, comparing me to your dog and not expecting it to be taken as a personal insult? I didn't realize you were so very stupid, as well as utterly lacking in creative thought.

As for 'comparing you to a dog' Jenni, it was not a direct comparison. It was supposed to illustrate the apparent randomness of your appointment. First it was going to be Scathien, then you, neither of whom appeared to have shown any interest. In what you've chosen to regard as a condemnation, you'll find I support the notion of giving you a chance, even though I have misgivings.

I won't deny this makes me come out as a bit of an asshole, but I don't mind being the nail that sticks out as I feel it's worth discussing. I maintain my opinion that other/s should be involved in the decision making process.

Re Rhine: You are an amazing hypocrit, it's not pure cynicism that leads me to believe you suport Jenni purely because you feel you can manipulate her better than you had been able to with Kara. Stones from a glass house indeed, and with all that self-proclaimed 'honesty' to justify your behaviour who could possibly doubt your intentions?

Well….this IS a private community, albeit I suppose some things could be 'public' in a private community that makes sense. What I will say is (only personally) I feel that were it myself and not Jenny I would rather someones "remarks" (as well as doubts, thoughts, questions, and what have you) all be addressed in "public" as opposed to private. In public if you (like Pale) say something everyone will see. Its very different for YOU (Pale)-the person who has something to say, if you do it to a persons face in public, as opposed to if you come up to that same person in private.

Certainly everyone talks of the embarrasment to the other party by doing it publically, but doing such opens you up to criticism by people (even people like Rhine or anyone else). That cant happen if its private, and that I think makes the difference.

I won't deny this makes me come out as a bit of an asshole, but I don't mind being the nail that sticks out as I feel it's worth discussing.

And the nail gets the hammer or so they say, you see what I was just talking about above? Taking your licks with a stiff upper lip I see. English.

Re Rhine: You are an amazing hypocrit, it's not pure cynicism that leads me to believe you suport Jenni purely because you feel you can manipulate her better than you had been able to with Kara. Stones from a glass house indeed, and with all that self-proclaimed 'honesty' to justify your behaviour who could possibly doubt your intentions?

I really dont know.

It seemed rather random yeah, but I suppose his comming out of the proverbial woodwork (or getting into it?) could be a way of
#1 Taking a shot at you (because you gave an opportune man)
#2 Because maybe in the future he could go "Hey I'm an ok guy, and look I defended somebody see-" I dont know that he ever tried or managed to manipulate anybody.

But then considering his self proclamation afterward…well, lets say I was surpised by his honesty. It was weird. It was like at once looking like he had turned over a new leaf, and in the SAME breath looking like a leaf had withered and died. Or maybe it was only one and not the other.

I cant tell whether he was speaking with a smug sense superiority or attempting to show some form of sarcastic charm, thinking we (well some inevitabley will) take it as some kind of a joke.

But anyone who goes, "Well I dont care what anyone thinks of me, but I'll admit/say I'm [_]" much like going "Well I dont know much about X, but [_]" or "I'm just a simple country lawyer" or its equivalent is probably putting you on. He cares because he puts forth a very particular image.

Why? Well its quite simply for a "very particular reason, of which there is no point in stating as it is neither relevant to this particular situation let alone any other situation that could possibly come up". If he didnt care, he wouldnt have responded at all. And conveniently the precise reason or motivations behind this can never come up in any situation he is capable of envisioning, or as he believes any situation ever-because they are irrelevant.

Long story short…I dont think we're going to get anymore from talking about this, at least if its only we three. Everythings on the table.

"Ya can hoot, ya can holla-make any noise ya like! But if ya cant chant, oh if ya cant chant, well…ya no cult o' mine!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7movKfyTBII
~Ishkokum Mes Mosof She'res~
"Congratulations, you can link to TV Tropes. This does not mean you have special insight into the storytelling process, much less the author's mind. Stories don't need to fit into neat boxes, you know.

I never called you a cynic, please keep track of the conversation or otherwise do not bother to continue in it. As for manipulating Jenni, I dare you to try, I personally would not bother. But of course leave it to you to call me a hypocrite for admitting that I would not mind taking back up the office of mechanics op, how that makes me a hypocrite I don't know. It is funny however that you call me a hypocrite, since you're claiming I'm trying to manipulate Jenni based on my previous post, when you were the first on this particular discussion to suggest that myself or Hikage would be more suited to the task. Apparently you are incapable of even recalling/rereading what you yourself suggested before making your own post. Way to go Pale, I'm now adding dumb ass to your list of tags, right up here with asshole.

As for Tammuz… you read way too much into things, and you aren't even reading in the right direction.
First off, I will never bother to say I am an okay guy. In fact, I happen to have a very low opinion of myself because I know just how much of an asshole… scratch that… brutal son of a bitch I can be.
Secondly, you need to read what I said at as a whole, not dissect and analyze it in parts. After all For I am brutally honest for a very particular reason, of which there is no point in stating as it is neither relevant to this particular situation let alone any other situation that could possibly come up. is a completed thought and a singular ideal (yes ideal not idea). If you stop and actually think, and I mean REALLY think about what that actually says, you will come to the inevitable and only correct conclusion as to what that really means. This however does require that you either know why or are capable of divining why I am the way I am. I'll give you a hint, it has nothing to do with caring either about what others think of me or about others' feelings. But then again your psychology degree begs to differ, because psychology is based on the assumption that the person you are reading into, is fucked up on some level or another.

This all said, Pale, you're one dumb jackass, and Tammuz you should probably stop trying to practice psychology on others before you get yourself into some serious trouble in regards to that… oh and linking tropes in everything you do… very obnoxious, I'm not the only one that thinks this.

Oh by the way its Jenni, not Jenny. Don't be the ass-hat that cant look up a post or two to actually make sure he spells a name right.

"One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths…With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side." — Hagakure

The cynicism is my own, for finding you disingenuous and insincere amongst other things. Hypocrisy comes in many forms, I don't feel inclined to go over it again here after it was already spoken about on IRC.

I've also gone over the 'poor' or 'English' wording of my complaints in IRC so now I hope Jenni doesn't think I believe her to be equivalent in capacity to a dog. Which was never my intention.

As for keeping up/recalling. You're a complete and utter bastard (probably self proclaimed) at times Rhine, but that doesn't mean I don't think you know what you're doing in terms of mechanics. You'd definitely need someone to hold your leash though.

My initial complaint was in regards to the randomness of appointments, Scathien (or perhaps it was Scaly if they're not the same) and Jenni as potential Mech ops. I feel that is a justifiable concern as Jenni didn't apply for the Mech position, she applied and thought she was getting an ST op position. Following from this was an admission of a lack of faith in the current staff, this has been reduce considerably by Kara stepping down. I've never said I didn't think Jenni deserved a chance, so im back to neutral in respect to 'faith'.

I stand by what I said, though I could have worded it better. As things stand, I feel like the issues I had have been addressed, and look forward to Jenni doing a good job henceforth, although preferably in collaboration with someone else as unilateral power can be bad.

In closing, I apologise for any offence caused, because like Rhine says, I actually do care about other peoples feelings even if I may behave like an asshole at times.

Actually no Pale, you have not in any way backed up your hypothesis of my hypocrisy. In spite of my asking multiple times, and yet again here you fail, now publicly, to back up your claim. Blood good job mate. Now sod off before I saw you off at the knees with my sawn-off.

Oh, and if an one is a hypocrite or a snake trying to manipulate. Its you Pale not me. After all, you were the one trying to sweet talk her one minute, then when she shut you down, you immediately came here to post in relation to her advancement to op (regardless of the fact that it is random and that is all you claim to be doing is pointing that out, you're still a douche-bag.)

Congratulations Pale! You're a Douche-bag and a Jackass with a low IQ.

"One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths…With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side." — Hagakure

This all said, Pale, you're one dumb jackass, and Tammuz you should probably stop trying to practice psychology on others before you get yourself into some serious trouble in regards to that… oh and linking tropes in everything you do… very obnoxious, I'm not the only one that thinks this.

Emphasis mine. Except….that's not entirely accurate. They arent tropes. Linking, yes? Tropes, no. If its the tropes that bother you specifically….you would obviously realize that your pet peeve is not applicable here. Now if its not that specifically then I will say your point still stands. NOW its funny that you mention them, because I have not actually brought them up in a while. (although ^5 to Scathien for dropping some jk/jk)

For I am brutally honest for a very particular reason, of which there is no point in stating as it is neither relevant to this particular situation let alone any other situation that could possibly come up.

Yes that's a complete thought. Now, I didnt divide it into any more parts than that. Yes, maybe I removed it from context (maybe not), but in and of itself I didnt divide THAT into anything.

You are "honest". Specifically brutally honest. This honesty is for a particular reason. A reason that apparently is irrelevant "in this situation" and "every other situation", in fact you might as well have simplified it to "irrelevant. Period". As a complete statement, is all this not true?

Therefore-you expressed it has nothing to do with what has happened here or could happen here, but is -as we can reasonably ifer, relevant to something else. What? I dont know. But since you said that statement was an an "ideal"-a thing conceived as embodying such a conception or conforming to such a standard, and taken as a model for imitation…I assume…

I have to wonder about you Rhine. And you know, since figuring you out "does require that you either know why or are capable of divining why I am the way I am." in your words, I guess it'll just be one of those things the world will never know-but maybe one or two lone individuals will. They'll probably keep it to themselves.

"Ya can hoot, ya can holla-make any noise ya like! But if ya cant chant, oh if ya cant chant, well…ya no cult o' mine!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7movKfyTBII
~Ishkokum Mes Mosof She'res~
"Congratulations, you can link to TV Tropes. This does not mean you have special insight into the storytelling process, much less the author's mind. Stories don't need to fit into neat boxes, you know.

"What's cooking good looking?" does not constitute sweet talk, at least not where im from. It's a quirky way I use to say hello to people or either gender on IRC, and sometimes in real life also. Try not to read too much into it.

I also posted here before I asked Jenni for anything, because in spite of my concerns I am willing to work with whoever is the mechanics op and don't favour a cloak and dagger approach to life.

As for your hypocrisy, how about taking offence to one insult when you're perfectly happy to brandish your own with blatant (and repeatedly self professed) disregard? I don't feel like I really need to overly justify my own opinions.

Right, I do not recall taking offense to any insult in particular. I have however taken offense to the use of private information (of which at this point I am still 'divining' how it was obtained before I actually take action on it) without my expressed permission to do so. This however is not insult, it is breach of privacy. Now if you are referring to my rising to the defense of a friend's perceived insult, well its not taking personal offense or even taking offense at an insult directed at my person, which is why your claim of hypocrisy is in reference to… Try again.

Anyhow, I am now done feeding myself to the trolls. You two please, by all means feel free to feed upon each other.

"One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths…With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side." — Hagakure

Those of you who are presently engaged in this thread, please cool it and do not continue playing the "last word" game. The presence of insults does not have a place in a well-ordered debate by a community. You have made your points, and do not need to press onward. If you persist in typing, I will have to take steps. I do not want to do this, so I hope that you will kindly take the hint.

While I generally dislike this sort of a public forum, and hope that others in a similar vein are not opened in the future, I suppose that there is no point in closing the doors to an empty gryphon aerie. As the subject has been brought up, and there are two new Ops presently in place, I suppose that this is as adequate a place as any to explain my plans, intentions, and reasoning. This post will be long, so I ask for your patience in reading it, paragraph by paragraph.

In this post, I am going to explain, to the best of my ability, how Ops are selected, and why the present set of new Ops were brought into their positions. By writing this down in an accessible location, I hope to remove any confusion or lack of understanding. I also hope to solidify my thoughts on the subject, as I have had a lot of experience in making bad decisions for Ops in the past, but hope that I have learned from these decisions, which has led to my present process of thought when selecting new Ops. I will probably not respond to any additional posts in response to this one.

First, what qualifies people to be considered for an Op position? The first thing that is needed is for somebody already on the Staff to recommend somebody else. After that, the entire current staff has to agree to the promotion. Then the new Op is placed on probation for a month, perhaps two, to see if things work out. If they do not, then the person is encouraged to quietly resign to Storyteller status with no loss of REP award for the promotion. If the person refuses this, then they are simply removed from the position without the option of remaining in the Storyteller position, though still without loss of REP.

What each of the other Ops uses as a basis for recommending and approving the admission of another Op to the Staff is up to the individuals in question. I can only explain my own thought process. This starts with selection. When I am looking for somebody willing to take on the role of an Op, I first observe to see if the person in question seems to be serious and consistent in playing in the setting. Since I have frequent absences, I need people who are able to fill in where I am not present to keep the setting going and working smoothly. That need for people who are able to work for the good of the setting must preclude all other ties or favoritism or even a preference for one's own characters. These people must be seriously interested in making Therafim and its players prosper and helping said players to enjoy themselves. They should also share my vision for the setting, or be able to inspire new visions in me. Finally, but no less importantly, they should be able to work with the other Ops with a reasonable degree of unity, and to regard and treat each other member of the Staff with respect.

Ideally there will be at least two people in each position. This is for sake of oversight, to reduce opportunities for corruption, to provide ample second and third opinions when decisions must be made that will affect players and the game world itself, and finally to provide a strong, united front when those decisions are implemented. Three people is a desirable number for the Mechanics Op position, mostly because of the amount of raw sewage that those in this position are forced to wade through by the opportunistic, the dishonest, and the rude. The job does not get any more pleasant, and has resulted in more burnout of players in the position than any other, but at least the workload can be somewhat reduced.

Naturally, these are only my ideals. These ideals are subject to some flexibility for sake of practicality. As an example, ZenithSolar and I do not always see eye-to-eye on matters of setting, but I respected his decisions as an Op and tried to keep him aware of my actions, while he tried to keep me aware of his. So long as the flaws to the ideal are not so extreme that they become unbearable to my sensibilities, I am willing to work with almost anyone who is willing and able to do the job needed. ZenithSolar was able to handle a great deal of the stresses involved in the Mechanics Op position, did a great deal of troubleshooting, and we agreed on far more points than we disagreed, and so I fully respect him still, and believe he did a find job while he held the Mechanics Op position. Having to do the job alone for an extended period, however, was a heavy weight to bear, and I understand his need to resign. I only hope that ZenithSolar continues to play in the setting, and enjoys his time here now that he has returned to being a player only.

Now, on to the subject of the present two Ops, how they got there, and why I approve of their being where they are, starting with Sorrowdusk as Story Op. For starters, the position needed to be filled, as it had been left empty for quite some time. At first I wrote off Sorrowdusk as having an excessive case of keyboard diarrhea and an obsession with all things Lovecraftian, and tended only to skim what he had to write. However, over time I began to actually read some of the things that he wrote, and found that it has quite a lot of merit. He still struggles with brevity, but I find that our minds do frequently work along similar lines, even if the way that we express ourselves tends to be rather different. I respect his opinions and thoughts, and believe that he has the best interests of the Therafim setting and its players at heart. Besides this, I have noticed that he has an unflagging degree of energy, and he frequently acted to keep me on task in writing needful pieces of the setting, while still being respectful towards me. Sorrowdusk has also been constantly interested in other people's characters, usually (despite unkind statements by some to the contrary) for the purpose of trying to get to know people better and then to help them advance and improve their playing experience. So I suggested him to Kara and hopey, and they both were willing to try him out in the position, albeit with significant reservations for the same reasons that I mentioned before. The position needed to be filled, and he seemed to have the qualities to accomplish the job. Most importantly, Sorrowdusk is still willing to learn and to improve, and so over time his weaknesses have been turning into strengths. I believe that the Story Op position will help him to continue his development even further, while at the same time helping others to enjoy their time in Therafim.

Finally, the matter that began this discussion: the appointment of Ziyanani, the player otherwise known as Jennibear. Jenni asked me about becoming a Mechanics Op because she saw that there was a need for another person in the position, and that the list of potential candidates was rather short - she would have preferred to be a Story Op, but felt there was a greater need for somebody in the Mechanics position, and she might as well offer herself. The oncoming resignation of ZenithSolar threw that need into a very clear light, and got me to hasten the process of getting her approved by the others Ops, including ZenithSolar. I had asked around with several people at that point, to see if there were any people willing to take on the position of Mechanics Op, and had been turned down by everyone that I spoke to, or given an ambiguous answer, likely to cause the topic to drop. In all honesty, though I felt that Jenni was a competent possibility for promotion, I tried especially hard not to recommend Jenni to the other Ops because I was afraid that there would be charges of favoritism. I do regard Jennibear as a friend as well as a roleplaying buddy, and I was worried that my views might be tainted by my personal feelings. Eventually, however, as the pressing need for a new Mechanics Op came to the fore, and my longtime observation of Jenni's behavior towards others as well as her interviews with ZenithSolar and myself seemed to hold up towards her being reasonably reliable as well as able to interact with others, and her ability to run quests successfully spoke well of her knowledge of the game mechanics, I presented Jenni's name to the other Ops for review, and she was swiftly promoted.

If I did not have confidence in the present set of Operators of Therafim, I would not have suggested them in the first place. There are an unfortunate (but thankfully small) number of people who refuse to give one or both of our newest Ops a chance in their present positions, who refuse to trust them to any degree, or who seek to make their new jobs more difficult than they need to be. I ask that you please treat Sorrowdusk and Ziyanani with respect, and that you accept their decisions, as I intend to accept their decisions.

Should anyone wish to place their names up for recommendation to positions on the Op Staff, please pm me on the wikia with a quick rundown of your qualifications for the job - Ziyanani's summary as shared by Sorrowdusk makes a good example of what this should look like - and I will happily review them and share them with the other Ops presently in place so that we can discuss the matter properly. If you speak to me in the chatrooms on this topic, I will advise you to do what I have just said, as I will likely forget to bring up the subject with the other Ops without something more tangible than a chatroom conversation.

It is my hope that this clears things up somewhat, and makes the process of promotion to the Op position more transparent.